|
The second picture shows the relation between two objects.
The car belongs to the man who is right next to the
door. The possessing of something is described with
the Genitive. In English the Genitive is formed with a
preposition.
 |
das Auto des Mannes =
the car of the man |
|
The German language uses a declination not a preposition:
Since the Germans don't use a preposition, they have
to have another way of noticing what kind of relation
is between the woman and the house. Have a look at the
definite articles:
 |
das Haus der Frau
it is der Frau in
Genitive not die Frau
(like in basic form)
This der
Frau corresponds
to of the
woman |
|
We have to admit that the English system is much easier
as the table below shows. However there is nothing we
can do to make it easier.
| declination
in German and the English system |
 |
das |
Haus |
- |
der |
Frau |
Nominative: die
Frau Genitive: der
Frau |
|
| |
the |
house |
of |
the |
woman |
preposition de |
| |
das |
Haus |
- |
der |
Frauen |
Nominative: die Frauen Genitive: der
Frauen |
|
| |
the |
house |
of |
the | women |
preposition de |
| |
das |
Haus |
- |
des |
Mannes |
Nominative: der Mann Genitive: des
Mannes |
|
| |
the |
house |
of |
the |
man |
preposition of |
| |
das |
Haus |
- |
der |
Männer |
Nominative: die Männer
Genitive: der Männer |
|
| |
the |
house |
of |
the |
men |
preposition of |
| |
das |
Haus |
- |
des |
Kindes |
Nominative: das Kind Genitive: des
Kindes |
|
| |
the |
house |
of |
the |
child |
preposition of |
| |
das |
Haus |
- |
der |
Kinder |
Nominative: die Kinder Genitive: der
Kinder |
|
| |
the |
house |
of |
the |
children |
preposition of |
|
For the object in Genitive you ask: Whose? or Of which?
The car of my father.
Whose car is it? my fathers.
The door of this house.
the door of which? of the house.
|